Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sunday night, circa 6:15pm, NE Triangle of Eastern Market Metro Plaza

The Week Ahead….Headliners: MPD District 1 Commander at ANC6B – DDOT Chief at ANC6A

by Larry Janezich

Monday, December 7

1. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm at Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE

Tuesday, December 8

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Commander Jeff Brown, 1D MPD

Bullfrog Bagels, 317 7th Street SE, new Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license

Trader Joe’s, 750 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, new Retailer’s Class B license

Historic Preservation application for 1220 Potomac Avenue SE, new construction/revised plans for a multi-unit apartment project.

BZA application for 1524 Independence Avenue, SE, to clarify owner’s right to use parking spaces for car sharing.  (Nearby residents object to the late night activities and disruption that stem from the commercial use of this space.)

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm at Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE. (The January meeting on 1/12/16 will be at Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10^th Street, NE.)

Wednesday, December 9

1. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C meets at 7:00pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE

Among items on the agenda:

Craft Beer Cellar, 301 H Street, NE, new license, class A liquor store

Addis Ethiopian, 707 H Street, NE, modification to settlement agreement, class C restaurant

Alibi, 237 2nd Street, NW

Toscana Café, 601 2nd Street, NE

XO, 15 K Street, NE

Updates on Po Boy Jim’s, 709 H Street, NE, and Sugar Factory, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE

NoMa Parks update

Development of a park at 5th and I Streets, NE

NoMa Circulator route

Prostitution on K Street NE—MPD Lt. Cullen

Planned Parenthood, 1200 block of 4th Street, NE, curb cuts, sidewalk, parking, landscape

301 K Street, NE, curb cut and driveway in public space

518 6th Street, NE, status and update of ANC 6C appeal

Thursday, December 10

1. ANC6A meets at 7:00pm at Miner Elementary, 601 15th Street, NE

Presentation:  Courtney Snowden, Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity

Presentation:  Leif Dormsjo, Director, District Department of Transportation

Sol Mexican Grill’s extension of its hours for operation, alcoholic beverage sales and consumption, and live entertainment

Letter of support for 2015 Rock and Roll Marathon, contingent acceptance of certain ANC conditions

Letter to DDOT requesting traffic and pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Florida Avenue and K Street, NE and the extension of parking for the entire length of the 1200 block of Florida Avenue NE, with the elimination of curb cuts and addition of appropriate signage

Letter to DDOT requesting the installation of a crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signs on east side of Ninth (9th) Street NE where L Street and West Virginia Avenue NE intersect

Letter to BZA in support of the request for variances at 1313-1323 Linden Court, NE, to allow the construction of five one-family dwellings and a neighborhood-serving retail establishment in the C-2-A District

2. ANC 6B Constituent Services Task Force meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

3. CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE

The future home of Bullfrog Bagels at 317 7th Street, SE, near Eastern Market

Rear of Bullfrog Bagels.

Condo complex seen from the rear of Bullfrog Bagels. Owners fear early morning bagel deliveries.

Eastern Market Bullfrog Bagels Liquor License Application Off To Rocky Start

Owner Starts Off on Wrong Foot with Neighbors

by Larry Janezich

Last night, the continuing restaurant-vs-Capitol Hill resident drama was on full display at ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Committee meeting.  Under consideration was the application of a restaurant liquor license for Bullfrog Bagels opening next year at 317th Street, SE, near Eastern Market.  The opening was first reported on CHC, here:   http://bit.ly/1ylkCr1.

The owner of Bullfrog Bagels – Jeremiah Cohen – didn’t help his cause much when he first insulted nearby residents, and then threatened to make their quality of life worse by using even more disruptive delivery practices if he didn’t get to deliver bagels through the rear entrance of his 7th Street bagel shop daily between 3am and 4am.  One of their main objections is the early morning bagel deliveries.

Nearby neighbors have lawyered up in the person of Capitol Hill attorney Ellen Opper-Weiner to help them negotiate a settlement agreement with Cohen to minimize the impact of the restaurant on their quality of life.

Three major issues concern residents:  hours of operation, noise control from mechanicals, and Cohen’s insistence that the daily bagel deliveries between 3am and 4am occur through the restaurant’s rear door, which is overlooked not only by the bedrooms of living quarters above the adjacent retail shops, but also those of the large condo project across the alley.

As the result of recent meetings with Opper-Weiner, Cohen submitted a proposed settlement agreement detailing restrictions on business practices.  Such agreements are a routine part of alcohol beverage licenses and are used to address concerns the ANC and neighbors have regarding the business’operation.  Recently, mobilized neighbors have had considerable success in bringing better or best operation practices to food and drink outlets on Barracks Row, 7th Street, SE; and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Cohen characterized the proffered agreement as doing “a good job of trying to address neighbors’ concerns.”  Opper-Weiner said that while some progress has been made the three major concerns listed above remain outstanding.  Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg appeared to have little sympathy for residents, coming down squarely on the side of the restaurant saying, “I think this is a fine settlement agreement from my perspective.”

Cohen wants to serve alcohol until midnight on weekends and 11pm on weekdays both inside his restaurant and at a proposed outside café and on a front balcony of the building overlooking the street.  Neighbors want him to scale that back to 10pm during the week and 11pm weekends.  In addition, neighbors want best practices sound abatement for the roof top mechanicals and they want deliveries through the front of the restaurant, which Cohen says is not possible because his bagel racks cannot negotiate the stairs on the front entrance.  Commissioner Diane Hoskins, in whose single member district the restaurant resides, pushed for no deliveries before 7am.

Calling the objections “a classic NIMBY situation” the testy Cohen piled on, adding that the alternative “would be to say, ‘screw it.  I’ll bring a Sysco truck into the alley at 7:01 every day and leave it idling while we unload – it will drive you guys crazy….I’ll hire trucks you hate that will result in pollution, noise and traffic jams.  I’m offering not to do any of that by bringing a small vehicle into the alley early in the morning.  I’ve made an incredible offer – no Sysco truck – a quiet truck – no vendors in the alley – this is an amazing offer.’”

As to how alcohol will play into the menu of a bagel shop, Cohen was somewhat unclear other than saying that as the bagel demand tapers off around 11am, he hopes to offer lunch and brunch instead of the usual bagel shop practice of switching to subs, pizza, and burgers.  Though no mention was made last night, it’s been reported elsewhere that dinner will be served as well.

Commissioner Nick Burger suggested a trial period to “see how it goes.”  Linda Elliott, a resident who has been instrumental in organizing neighbors to push for best practices, pointed out that since the restaurant will not open before the license renewal period next spring, the trial period will be three years and three months.

After the committee voted to take no position regarding a recommendation to the full ANC which meets next Tuesday, pending further meetings between Cohen and neighbors, one of the residents spoke up and referring to Cohen’s remarks stated, “…threatening me is not appropriate.”  Cohen’s denied that he was threatening anybody, saying, “I was just pointing out what was better for the neighborhood.”

In a subsequent conversation with Opper-Weiner, the attorney told CHC that language restricting early morning deliveries may be moot, citing a conversation earlier today with the Counsel to DDOT in which she says he affirmed that DC regulations prohibit loading and unloading in spaces marked by No Parking/No Standing Anytime signage.  Such signage currently exists in the alley behind Bullfrog Bagels.  Whether DDOT will enforce the regulations at 3am is uncertain.

Holiday Tree/Hanukkah Gift Sale To Benefit Brent School

The Brent Elementary School PTA will hold its Fifth Annual Christmas Tree and Holiday Sale, on Friday Dec. 4th (4:00 to 7:00 pm), Saturday Dec. 5th (9:00 am to 5:00 pm), and Sunday Dec. 6th (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) on the Brent Elementary School playground (301 North Carolina Avenue, SE).  All of the proceeds go to benefit Brent Elementary for academic and other programing at the school.

A new feature this year is the participation of Brent’s feeder school, Jefferson Academy.  Members of their band will be playing at 4:30 on Friday and the Jefferson PTA will have a booth selling refreshments and raising money for their PTA all day on Saturday and Sunday.

Among holiday items for sale at the three day event:

~Fraser Fir Christmas Trees (tabletop, 4-5 foot, 5-6 foot, 6-7 foot, 7-8 foot, 8-9 foot, 9-10 foot).  Home delivery of your tree (Capitol Hill only) is available for $15.

~Red, Pink, and White Poinsettias

~Boxwood, Cedar, and Fraser Fir Wreaths

~Boxwood, Cedar, and White Pine Roping/Garland

~Winterberry

~Hanukkah candles, dreidels and gelt

~Hanukkah kids crafts

http://brentelementary.org/holidaysale

You can place an online pre-order now and pick up your items at Brent during our sale weekend, December 4-5-6. [Hanukkah begins on December 6th.]

http://brentelementary.org/hanukkah

For more information about the items available and to place your order, please visit the Brent online store at www.brentstore.org.

If you have any questions, please email brent.holiday.sale@gmail.com

Sean Ruppert of Opal LLC, holds depiction of aerial view of Watkins Alley looking Northeast. The large white structure at the top of the rendering is Safeway with E Street running between it and the project.  Frager’s is hidden by the tallest structure with the green roof.

Rendering of the view from E Street. The pass through permits resident and public access to the “North Courtyard.” Just visible through the opening is the single carriage house in the project – which Ruppert says zoning officials referred to as the “jewel” of the project. In order to provide the pass through, designers had to eliminate one unit.

The Carriage House represented by the tall narrow  grey rectangle just below the center in the first photo above.

View looking north from the North Courtyard near the carriage house. The bridge between the buildings will span the southern end of the “Southern Courtyard” depicted below.

View looking west through the “Southern Courtyard.” Residents and public will have access from the entrance opening onto the the narrow alley that bisects the block north to south.

View of Watkins Alley looking north west, showing the entrance to the “Southern Courtyard.” The rendering does not show the parking lot for Signature Collision Center which would be on the right of the image. That parcel is scheduled for development of residential units by Insight Development, who is also developing Buchanan School across the street.

Photo Essay – 43 Unit Project Near SE Safeway Headed to Zoning Commission

Developers See Ground Breaking in Spring, 2017

by Larry Janezich

Monday night, ANC6B’s PUD Subcommittee heard a presentation on the latest plans for the 43 residential unit project planned for 1311 E Street, SE, near the SE Capitol Hill Safeway.  Developer Sean Ruppert of Opal LLC told the Subcommittee that the project goes before the Zoning Commission next April for zoning relief to permit greater height and density than zoning currently allows.  He subsequently told CHC he hopes to break ground in the spring of 2017.  Plans for the project were reported first by CHC last January See here:  http://bit.ly/14qcnLZ

In return for increased height and density, zoning regulations provide that the community receives compensatory “benefits and amenities” and the PUD Subcommittee chaired by Commissioner Nick Burger is considering a list compiled after consultation with members of the community in subcommittee meetings in recent months.  Some of the items on the list include increased affordable housing, improvements to Potomac Avenue Metro Plaza, greenspace improvements, tree canopy improvements, modification of the fence around Potomac Gardens in accordance with Potomac Garden resident wishes, and improvements to Hopkins and Chamberlain School playgrounds.

There are three projects in close proximity seeking zoning relief and community compensation packages will be negotiated with each one by ANC6B on behalf of the community.  See here:  http://bit.ly/1Ste9jt

The three projects, the developers, and the number of likely residents are as follows:

1300 block of E Street, SE, Opal LLC, Watkins Alley residential project – 100 to 150 residents

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, CAS Riegler, multi-story residential retail building – 400 residents

1300 block of E Street, SE, Insight Development Group, residential project – 350 to 400 residents

Capitol Hill’s own Christmas Tree on the Northeast Triangle of Eastern Market Metro Plaza circa 6:00pm Sunday. The tree was lit during a ceremony on Saturday evening.

The Week Ahead…..

by Larry Janezich

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE:    Cub Scout Pack 230 Christmas Tree Sale – 3-6 December.  Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street, NE, across for the Folger Theater.

Hours:  Thursday Dec 3. 3 – 5:00pm-8:00pm; Friday Dec 4. 4 – 5:00pm-8:00pm; Saturday Dec 5. 5 – 9:00am – 6:00pm; Sunday Dec 6. 5 – 11:30am – 4:00pm.Thur 5-8pm – Fri 5-8pm – Sat 9-6pm – Sun. 11:30-4pm.

Monday, November 30

1. ANC6B Planning and Zoning Planned Unit Development (PUD) Subcommittee will meet at 7:00pm at the Hill Center. The PUD Subcommittee will work through the PUD process for multiple proposed projects located in ANC6B, making recommendations on benefits and amenities packages to the ANC Planning and Zoning Committee.

Agenda

Update on proposed PUD projects and subcommittee plans

Presentation on Watkins Alley PUD

Draft benefits and amenities package for 1401 Penn

Tuesday, December 1

1. Anc6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00 p.m., in the cafeteria at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

Agenda:

1220 Potomac Avenue SE, new construction/revised plans.

Rear 1524 Independence Avenue SE.

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, PUD, Draft Memorandum of Agreement.

2. ANC 6C Parks and Events Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical center, 700 2^nd Street, SE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Wednesday, December 2

1. CANCELLEDANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center

Draft Agenda:

DDOT Traffic Calming Study Results: 12th & G Streets SE

DDOT DC State Rail Plan (released September 21, 2015)

2. ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00 pm, Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second Street, NE, 2nd & G Streets, NE.

Draft Agenda:

518 6th St. NE  (non-voting) – Status update on ANC 6C’s appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s issuance of permit B1512716 in violation of the zoning regulations, and the Zoning Administrator’s refusal to revoke that permit despite repeated notice (and detailed evidence) of its illegality.

650 F St. St. NE (BZA 19159) — Application of Edward and Jessica Long, pursuant to 11 DCMR § 3104.1, for a special exception under § 223, not meeting the lot occupancy requirements under § 403, the open court requirements under § 406, and the non-conforming structure requirements under § 2001.3, and a special exception from the height requirements under to construct a third-floor addition with roof deck to an existing one-family dwelling in the R-4 District at premises 650 F Street N.E. (Square 860, Lot 7). Representative: Jennifer Fowler. Hearing on Jan. 12, 2016. [ANC 6C05]

Proposal to petition for a zoning regulation amendment – Proposal to petition the Zoning Commission for an amendment to the regulations to exclude part or all of a historic front porch from the definition of “building area.” The purpose of the amendment is to address situations where all or part of an existing porch lies within the lot boundaries and therefore counts toward the percentage of lot occupancy.

Under current law, owners have an incentive to remove such porches in order to facilitate by-right construction of additions at the rear or elsewhere on the property. The proposed language would eliminate that incentive.

Thursday, December 3

1. ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00 pm in Hill Center.

On the Agenda:

Bullfrog Bagels, 317 7th Street, SE, new Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license.

Trader Joe’s, 750 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, new Retailer’s Class B license.

2. ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm at Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd St. NE

Agenda unavailable at press time.

3. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm at Southeast Library, lower level.
4. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm, Southeast Library, lower level

Trouble Brewing? Food and drink outlets on the the 300 block of 7th Street, SE, are grumbling about loss of business to the Eastern Market weekend flea market vendor Vigilante Coffee.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, November 23

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee (COC) meets at 7 pm, Maury Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room.

Among items on the agenda:

Grant Outreach – Grant Workshop

Committee Priorities/Issues

“The ABCs of the ANC” Flier

Review of grant request:  Miner Elementary School PTO

Neighborhood Safety Training

Thursday, November 26

DPW to Observe Thanksgiving Day; Trash, Recycling Will Not Be Collected; Parking Enforcement Will Be Suspended.  Leaves will be collected as scheduled from Area D neighborhoods (West of 11^th Street, South of East Capitol and Independence Avenue, see below)

Sunday, November 29

MPD Community Bike Ride.  MPD 1^st, 4^th, and 5^th Districts invite bikers to join officers on a police escorted 14.7 mile community bike ride through the city and the Metropolitan Branch Trail.  The ride will last 2 – 2.5 hours.  Leave from MPD HQ at 200 Indiana Avenue, NW, at 10:00am.

Lt. (Acting Captain) Damion Taylor listens to a PSA 108 resident at last Thursday’s PSA 108 meeting at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE

Councilmember and MPD Puzzled About Delay in Extraditing Hill East Rape Suspect;​ & ​There’s a New Sheriff in PSA 108

by Larry Janezich

At the PSA 108 meeting​Thursday night attended by about 40 community members​, Hill East residents expressed concern over the lack of information regarding the status of the suspect in the violent rape and home invasion near 18th and A Streets, SE, in Hill East.   Residents were concerned that no information has been forthcoming about the crime.  Hill East activist Jim Meyers pressed officials about the absence of information​, ​wondering how the suspect ​”​got here or was he here all along​?​”

MPD 1st District Commander Brown responded that though a suspect is in custody in another jurisdiction (Prince Georges County, Maryland) the suspect’s name will be withheld until he is extradited and charged in DC.  He said that he had to “protect the integrity of the process and not do anything that would jeopardize the case.”  Likewise, Brown was unable to say why it was taking so long to extradite the suspect:  “I’m not sure whether he’s fighting extradition.”

​The inability to provide definitive information in reply to questions such as this exemplifies the ​frustrating interaction between MPD and residents that discourages attendance ​to​ PSA meetings​, ​undercutting the mutually desired goal of effective community policing.

The next morning, at a regularly scheduled meeting with community members, Councilmember Charles Allen said he was puzzled why the extradition was taking so long.  He credited Jackie Bensen of NBC News 4 with having reported additional details regarding the suspect in the rape case.  ​

As reported on the NBC4 website (http://bit.ly/1T7uCKe – search recent stories by “Jackie Benson” ​)​, those details include​:

1. The 21 year old suspect has been on 3 years’ probation after 2 years in jail for a 2013 armed robbery.
2. He was arrested September 30, 2015, at MLK Library and charged with felony drug possession.
3. When arrested at MLK he had in his backpack a tampered-with Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) bracelet in his back pack when arrested.
4. He was subsequently released on the condition he stay away from MLK Library and refrain from engaging in crime.
5. After the Hill East rape, he was arrested in Prince George’s County on an unrelated charge.
6. He is being held in Prince George’s county on $35,000 bond.
7. MPD has placed a “hold” on the suspect

​During the Thursday night’s PSA meeting, when a resident raised the question of the tampered-with ankle bracelet in connection with the suspect and asked under whose authority the bracelet had been issued, neither Clifford Keenan from the DC Pretrial Services Agency nor Michael Bonds from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency ​(CSOSA), both ​of whom were in​ attendance​, ​could say whether the case came under jurisdiction of their agencies.  Court documents in the report by NBC4’s Jackie Bensen revealed that it was ​CSOSA​.  ​ In response to questions, Commander Brown mentioned that ​tampering with or removal of an ankle bracelet ​constituted a separate offense.

(A link to make contributions to the community fund for the victim in the Hill East rape case and family is here: http://capitolhillneighbors.org/)

The PSA 108 meeting was the first presided over by Lt. Damion Taylor, and it featured a host of officials representing various DC criminal justice system agencies. ​ But none offered concrete answers in response to questions – and, in the case of Michael Bonds, he claimed to be unaware of any felonies committed by ​a person who fell under his agency’s supervision.  As a result, parts of the meeting lapsed into a familiar superficial public relations exercise ​familiar to many who attend PSA meetings in search of answers.  Taylor promised to facilitate more exchange in the next meeting, and in particular he expressed his desire to invite a representative from the Office of Unified Communications (OUC), the agency charged with fielding 9-1-1 calls, in order to respond to a number of concerns raised Hill East residents​, including incompetence and unprofessionalism.  ​Last May, Muriel Bowser accepted the resignation of the previous director of the OUC and vowed changes to the agency.  According to residents at the PSA meeting, those changes are not yet apparent.

Lt. ​Taylor wants the community to participate to a greater extent in setting the agenda for and organizing the PSA meeting.  He is asking for 2 ​or​ 3 volunteers to run the meetings and to get feedback “on what you want to do,” adding, “I want you to tell me who you want to hear from.”

Taylor is a DC​ native who attended Eastern High and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from GWU.  He has been on the force 11 years and has a broad range of experience, including undercover work, experience with the mobile crime unit, ​and ​experience as a PSA Lt. in MPD Districts 4 and 5.  He called District 1 the “cream of the crop” and said police dream of working here.  Taylor says, ​”I’m optimistic but the police can’t do it alone.  You’re the community – you live here and I work for you.  I want to know the things you feel are important.  Tell me and I’ll give you feedback next month.​”​

CHC has some questions for next month, including​:

Why was the suspect in the rape case free after a felony arrest while being on probation?

On whose authority was he​ released?

Was the rape suspect supposed to be wearing an ankle bracelet,​ and if so did the one found in his backpack belong to him?

Why is it taking so long to extradite him?

What connected the suspect arrested in PG County to the rape in Hill East?

What was the Hill East rape suspect charged with in PG County?

Why don’t officials from​​ ​CSO​S​A know that one of its monitoring devices​​ had been tampered with and was in the possession of a person arrested for a felony who later became a suspect in a rape case? Are failures like this too frequent to attract notice?​

What is being done to improve 9-1-1 services at the Office of Unified Communications?

Hill East Violent Crime in Up Over Last Month – PSA Meeting Thursday Night

by Larry Janezich

Violent crime in Hill East’s PSA 108 was up during the past 30 days over the preceding 30 days as illustrated in the two crime maps below.  There were 18 incidents of violent crime most recently, compared to 11 during the earlier period.  Most of the increase came in the category of robbery with gun.

Likewise, MPD’s District One saw an increase in violent crime to 98 from 76, though there was a significant drop in property crime.  See the MPD District One crime maps below.

PSA 108 meets at 7:00pm on Thursday night, at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.  It will be the first PSA presided over by new PSA leader Acting Captain Damion Taylor.  He is expected to be accompanied by other criminal justice officials.  Taylor has been active in engaging the Hill East community on newhilleast listserv as part of a new emphasis on community policing.  Some believe that social media have made PSA meetings obsolete but it seems clear that a forum for personal engagement between police and residents is the necessary foundation both for effective community policing and effective community building.

This morning’s Washington Post featured an article by Aaron C. Davis, Peter Hermann, and Scott Clement headlined “Residents say crime is Washington’s No. 1 problem, poll finds.”  http://wapo.st/1OQnPpE

According to the article, homicides are up 58% over the same period last year though police say overall crime is down some 5% so far this year and robberies are up in certain neighborhoods.

One of those neighborhoods is Capitol Hill, and the WaPo article notes:  “In Ward 6, which encompasses most of Capitol Hill and as of last month had experienced a more than 50 percent increase in gun holdups, the poll found the biggest drop in feelings of personal safety. The share of residents feeling at least “somewhat safe” dropped from 84 to 63 percent since 2011.”

One resident interviewed for the article cited gentrification as a cause of the crime spike – another blamed a failing criminal justice system.  The article states that “Many D.C. residents see the city’s rising homicide rate as part of a larger societal phenomenon and tied in part to rising economic pressures on the city’s poorest residents.”

For access to MPD Crime Map, go here:  http://crimemap.dc.gov/CrimeMapSearch.aspx

Violent Crime in PSA 108, Past 30 Days

Violent Crime PSA 108, Previous 30 Days

Violent Crime in MPD District One, Past 30 Days

Violent Crime in MPD District One, Previous 30 Days

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, November 16

1. ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Request for letter of support for Rock & Roll Marathon

Request for truck and bus restrictions on 11th Street, NE

Pedestrian walk signals at 10th Street NE and Maryland Avenue NE

Tuesday, November 17

1. ANC6B’s Hill East Task Force meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington

Agenda:

To hear a presentation on the updated plans for phase 1 of the Hill East development.  Reps from Donatelli Development and GTM Architects will share design drawings and updates on the progress toward construction on two parcels near the Stadium Armory Metro entrance.

2. ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meeting meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE.

Discussion of request by Ocopa at 1324 H Street, NE, for an Entertainment Endorsement.

Discussion of request by Sol Mexican Grill at 1251 H Street, NE, for an extension of hours for operation, alcoholic beverage sales and consumption, and live entertainment.

3. CHRS Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, second floor. Details: Lisa Dale Jones, (202) 543-0425.

Wednesday, November 18

1. ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Resolution of previously heard BZA/HPRB cases

1603-1625 Benning Road, NE (Informational Presentation): The PUD seeks a land use designation change from the existing C-2-A to C-2-B in order to develop the Property into a residential development with a significant portion of the units being dedicated to workforce housing.

1313 to 1323 Linden Court, NE: Applicant seeks variances from the zoning regulations to allow the construction of five one-family dwellings and a neighborhood-servicing retail establishment in the C-2-A District.

1301 H Street, NE: Application of 3317 16th Street LLC, for variances zoning regulations and a special exemption for the HS Overlay requirements to convert a vacant church into a new four-story, mixed-use commercial and residential building in the HS-A/C-2-A District.

2. CHRS Preservation Café: “Home Maintenance Tips.” 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente building, 700 2nd Street, NE
3. Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) meets at 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market.

Thursday, November 19

1. PSA 108 meets at 7:00pm at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE, with MPD Lt. Damion Taylor.

Notice for Thursday, November 19, 2015

Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) City Wide Action Effort on Jobs, Housing and Homelessness with Mayor Muriel Bowser.

7:00pm – 8:30pm, Covenant Baptist UCC, 3845 South Capitol Street, SE

Sign Up/RSVP REQUIRED . Those interested in attending should contact Pastor Anthony E. Owens, Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Ave., S.E.

Tel. 202.543.7894

Cell 202.531.3198

Website: http://www.libertybaptistchurchdc.org

Washington Interfaith Network is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF)

Starbucks District Manager Ronny Correa (center, back to camera) tells ANC Commissioners Jayaraman and Symolak and members of the community that Starbucks will go the extra mile on trash and rodent control

Starbuck’s Moves Quickly to Resolve Rat/Trash Issues – ANC Oks Liquor License

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, ANC6B approved a liquor license for Starbuck’s 3^rd and PA Avenue outlet.  Commissioners were impressed by what they considered Starbucks’ good faith efforts to address concerns raised by neighbors.  Last Thursday, the ANC’s ABC Committee took no position on the request in light of the heavy turnout of neighbors who complained about Starbucks’ trash management practices which they claimed cause much of the significant rat problem in the neighborhood.  See CHC post here: http://bit.ly/1HzcEtn

On Sunday afternoon, Starbucks District Manager Ronny Correa told a group of neighbors of its 3^rd and Pennsylvania, SE, outlet that Starbucks corporate counsel had “misspoke” at last Thursday’s ANC ABC committee where the coffee shop’s request for an alcohol license was being considered.  In fact, Correa said, apologetically, “cost is not an issue for us,” regarding resolution of the rodent-attracting trash issues drawing complaints from neighbors living near 3^rd and PA Avenue.  In addition, he said the claim that trash was being picked up six days a week was also in error.  Trash is actually being picked up three days a week and recycling three days a week.

The Sunday afternoon meeting had been coordinated by ANC commissioner Jennifer Samolyk.  In addition to some eight neighbors, Commissioners Jayaraman, Oldenburg, and Burger also attended.

The regional facilities manager who accompanied Correa to the meeting outlined what Starbucks was prepared to commit to in order to get ANC6B support for the license application.  These included:

Switching out the dumpsters for newer models

7 day a week pick up of trash and recycling

Monthly (instead of quarterly) power washing of the trash storage area (or as needed weather permitting)

Pest control inspections daily until no rodent activity is seen, then three times a week inspections until no activity is seen, then inspections once a week until no activity is seen, and then an inspection every 2 weeks.

Internal training for employees regarding trash disposal and frequent checks of the trash storage area throughout the day

In addition, the company is looking into installation of a trash compactor.

The company expressed confidence they can solve the problem without indoor trash storage, but is still exploring all options.  They said that if the measures did not resolve the issues the company would consider indoor trash storage  when the license comes back for renewal before the ANC in March of 2016.

The agreement reflects another success in the efforts of ANC6B and organized neighbors to bring best operating practices to restaurants adjacent to residential areas.  It also raises the bar for the three nearby Mendelsohn-owned restaurants which neighbors say generate rodent problems.  The Mendelsohn’s licenses come up for renewal next March.